Tilting work holder



R. H. ABELL TILTING WORK HOLDER Nov. 25, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 7, 1955 Robert H. Abe/l INVENTOR. BY Zn z9% Nov. 25, 1958 R. H. ABELL TILTING WORK HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 7, 1955 Robert H. Abe/l INVENTOR.

United States Patent O l v 2,861,331 a. 7 1 rnrnso WORK HOLDER I i Robert Abel], Norwalk, Calif. Application January 7, 1955, Serial N 4so, ss7 2 Claims. 01. 29-284) This invention generally relates to a work holder and more specifically provides a set of parallels that tilt at approximately right angles to their normal position for supporting relatively heavy work so that the workmay he moved from one position to a position substantially perpendicular to its original position for providing access to the underside of such work. l t

In performing various operations on heavy work such as die sets in machine shops,,it is quite frequently necessary to-manipulate such work for exposing theunderside thereof for performing certain operations'in ajm'or'e efficient and effective manner. Normally, it is necessary for the person performing the work to secure extra help or exert undue effort in moving the work thereby utilizing some other persons time or causing possible injury from strain caused by lifting the heavy object or work. Ascordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a set of parallels to which the heavy work may be attached wherein the parallels are substantially L- shaped with the vertical legs thereof being inclined toward the horizontal legs so that the work may be positioned with the horizontal legs forming a support for operation on the work or may be positioned with the vertical legs forming the support so that the underside thereof will be exposed for performing various work thereon.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a set of parallels conformable to the preceding object which automatically stabilize themselves in both positions due to the inclined relation of the vertical legs of the L- shaped members.

Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a set of parallels that include two machined parallel surfaces on the horizontal legs thereof whereby accurate machine work may be performed on the work positioned on the work holder of the present invention.

Other important objects of the present invention will reside in its simplicity of construction, ease of operation, its adaptability to its specific purpose and its relative in expensive manufacture and maintenance.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the work holder of the present invention attached to a die set with the die set positioned on the horizontal legs of the L-shaped members;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the work holder of the present invention positioned in substantially vertical position with the work being supported by the inclined vertical legs;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing the work being supported by the horizontal legs of the L-shaped members; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing one of the L- 2,861,331 Patented Nov. 25, 1958 shaped members which maybe attached to thework by utilizing the various attaching holes shown therein.

Referring nowspecifically to the drawing, it will be seen that the numeral 10 generally designates the work holder of the present invention for attaching work generally designated by the numeral 12 which may include any type of machine work suchas dies or dies'ets and as illustrated,.the work 12 is provided with a pair'of projecting lugs14 forming a notch 16 for receiving oppositely disposed clamping bolts 18. I f

v The work holder 10 generally includes'a'pair of filler members of L-shaped construction designated by the numerals 20 and 22 and forthe purposes of illustration, a single one of the L-shaped members 20 will be described, with the understanding that the two members 20 and 22 are identical. I

Referring now specifically to Figure 4 where the single L-shaped member 20'is' illustrated, it will be seen that the L-shaped member20 includes a horizontal leg 24 and a generally vertical leg 26; The horizontal leg 24 is provided with a central vertical web 28 having upper and lower flanges '30 and 32. The upper and lower flanges 30 and 32'are provided with machined surfaces 34 on the outersurface thereof; vThe surface 34 on'the upper flange -30 is'provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced and aligned internally threaded bores 36 for receiving a clamping bolts 18.

The vertical leg 26 includes an outer or lower flange 38 together with a strengthening rib or web 40 on the inner surface thereof. The vertical leg 26 is secured to the horizontal leg 24 by a smooth rounded curved portion 42 which forms a tilting raise for the L-shaped member 20.

It will be seen that the vertical leg 26 of the L-shaped member 20 is inclined slightly rearwardly toward the horizontal leg 24 wherein the angle between the horizontal leg 24 and the vertical leg 26 is slightly less than for a purpose described hereinafter. At the outer end of the horizontal leg 24 remote from the vertical leg 26 is a longitudinally projecting handle 44 which extends from the central vertical web 28 of the horizontal leg 24. As previously stated, each of the L-shaped members 20 and 22 are of identical construction and the work 12 interconnects the supporting members 20 and 22 into a rigid unit. It will be understood that a pair of the L-shaped members 20 and 22 may be rigidly interconnected by any suitable bracing mechanism when desired. Further, it will be understood that various types of clamping mechanisms such as C-clamps or the like may be utilized for retaining the work 12 on the upper surface 24 of the L- shaped members 20 and 22. Further, it will be understood that a single L-shaped member 20 may be utilized in certain instances for certain types of work.

In operation, the work 12 is positioned on the horizontal legs 24 of the members 20 and 22 and secured thereto by the clamping bolts 18. When it is desired to have access to the undersurface of the work 12, it becomes only necessary to grasp the handles 44 and tilt the entire structure about the curved portion 42 until the work 12 is supported by the vertically inclined legs 26. Due to the particular inclined relation of the legs 26, it will be seen in Figure 2 that the work 12 will be supported in its predetermined position without any stabilizing on the part of the person doing the work. It will be readily seen that this work holder 10 eliminates much lifting, tilting and handling of heavy work 12 and may be utilized in many and various uses.

Also, it will be understood that four of the L-shaped members may be utilized and interlocked in such a manner that the four L-shaped members would be oppositely disposed thereby permitting movement of the work 12 about a' full Although this use is not illustrated, it will be understood that the work in this particular case would form the interconnecting means so that the work may be easily'handled and the accurate ground surfaces 34 on the L-shaped members would so position the work 12 on the supporting area ot a machine so that accurate work may be done with the machine .without' further setting up thereof. Also, the construction of the L- shaped members 20 may be lightened' by variouststructural featuresfsuch as bracing instead of the web' 28 or by the Use of lightening holes; 1 I

From the foregoing, theconstruction and operation of the device will bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to beunnecessary However; since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur on which to support the heavy workpiece, means in said flangefor securing saidheavyworkpiece to said flange,

to those skilled in the art, it is not desired'to' limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications. and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the ap? pended claims. V

What is claimed as new is as follows: I i Q 1. A work holderfor tilting'heavy work from a hori-' zontal to a vertical positioncomprisinga pair of'separate identical L-shape'd members, each memberainclud ing a first and a second leg joined to each other at confrontingtends, the outerrsurface of each leg,,being, fiat in order to rest upon asupporting surface, a rib risingirom the second leg of each member, flangeconnectedto said rib and having portions which project laterallyctherefrom; the uppersurface of said-flange constituting a seat said means being remote from said legs of said member, and means comprising a smoothly curved portion of said member at the junction of said legs constituting a tilt axis about which said member is adapted to be rolled when tilting said member from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position in order that the undersurface of the heavy work piece may be exposed.

2. The work holder 'ofclaim 1 together with a handle on each L-shaped member, each handle constituting a continuation of the rib thereon and located between one leg and the flange thereof.

References Cited'in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 712;,4.9s Great Britain j j Iu1y28, 1954 OTHER! REFERENCES Y Aviation, page219, volt 42, No. 7, July 1943. 

